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National code: CHC52021

Diploma of Community Services

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Overview About this course

Support your community and people experiencing hardship as you develop the complex knowledge needed for a rewarding career in the community services industry. Build your leadership capabilities and prepare for roles in case work and management in this in-demand sector.

Is Community Services right for you?

Community Services workers empower and support disadvantaged and vulnerable people to achieve their goals. They provide housing, mental health, disability, multicultural, financial, youth, domestic and family violence support. Your experience and career goals will help determine what pathway is best for you. Watch our video to learn more.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Build supportive relationships with people accessing services, including children and young people

  • Identify and prioritise client needs and goals

  • Develop workplace communication strategies

  • Manage and lead person-centred approaches

  • Plan services and manage programs in the community services sector

  • Work within a case management framework and lead a professional practice

Course outcomes

Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

  • A nationally accredited qualification at diploma level

  • A minimum of 200 hours work placement with a suitable industry employer

  • A strong pathway to continue your study at TAFE NSW or with one of our partner universities

  • The knowledge and skills to work at management level in the community services sector

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

  • This course is offered as a traineeship. Enquire today to check the eligibility requirements.

  • Depending on where you choose to study, there may be additional campus-specific entry requirements for this qualification. Check your specific location for details.

  • Please complete our survey to find out if the Diploma of Community Services course is suitable for you

Completion requirements

During your study you’ll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:

  • A Working with Children Check (WWCC)

  • A National Police Check

  • NDIS Check

  • Vaccination and health screenings

  • Any additional evidence your work placement provider requires, such as a first aid certificate

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • Ideally, a minimum of 12 months industry experience and the goal to secure a team leader or manager position

  • A desire to increase your leadership skills in the community service sector

  • The ability to work unsupervised within your scope of practice

  • Good to excellent computer skills to be able to handle electronic records and documentation

  • A passion of empowering others and providing the best possible support

  • Experience working with vulnerable people in difficult situations and circumstances

Important information

  • This qualification contains content, concepts and scenarios that may be distressing. Please consider your personal resilience and any potential emotional triggers when participating in this qualification and in any future employment in this field.

TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like: case worker/manager, community services worker, domestic and family violence worker, youth worker, family support worker, family services coordinator and program coordinator.

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 2 Courses

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

Further study 1 Course

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

Related study 3 Courses

Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

Your experience counts

At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

Units Units taught in this course

Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Diploma of Community Services qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 20 units of competency, including 12 core and 8 speciality units.

Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.

Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.

  • Assess co-existing needs CHCCCS004

  • Develop and implement service programs CHCCCS007

  • Recognise and respond to crisis situations CHCCCS019

  • Facilitate and review case management CHCCSM013

TAFE NSW services Facilities and support

TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

  • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service

  • TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support

  • TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)

  • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service

  • TAFE NSW Libraries

  • Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential

  • Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home

  • LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills

  • Student associations – get social with our student community

Info sessions Want to know more?

There are a total of 3 information sessions planned for this course. They'll take place at different locations across the state.

You can select a study option below to see the sessions available. Or you can view all sessions related to Community and Youth Services

Study options Find a location to enrol

Choose from the below study options and locations to discover what works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites and compare courses.